«Our counterparts are leak-prone. Experience has confirmed this.» The agent did not take his eyes off the water.
«So you mislead them,» said Daniel. «You give false information, tell them you are concentrating in the Mediterranean, then South America—Argentina, Nicaragua. Even nearby Haiti … but never Jamaica.» The minister paused for emphasis. «No, never Jamaica.»
«Standard procedure,» answered Hammond, allowing Daniel a brief, wary look.
«Then it will not surprise you to learn that this mistrust is shared by your foreign confederates. They have sent out teams, their best men. They are presently tracking down every scrap of information M.I. Six has made available. They are working furiously.»
Hammond snapped his head back to Daniel. «That is contrary to our agreement,» he said in an angry monotone.
The minister did not smile. «I do not think you are in a position to be sanctimonious, Commander.» Daniel shifted his eyes again to Alexander. «You see, McAuliff, since Dunstone, Limited, was a London-based conglomerate, it was agreed to give the first-level assignment to British Intelligence. It was understandable; M.I. Five and Six are the finest in the West; the Commander is their finest. On the theory that the fewer clandestine services operating, the less likely were breaches of security, the British agreed to function alone and keep everyone current. Instead, they continuously furnished erroneous data.» Daniel now permitted himself a minor smile. «In a sense, they were justified. The Americans, the French, and the Germans were all breaking the agreement, none had any intention of keeping it. Each was going after Dunstone, while claiming to leave the field to the English… Dunstone has to be dismantled. Taken apart economic brick by economic brick. The world markets can accept no less. But there are so many bricks. Each government believes that if only it can get there first—get the Dunstone list before the others—well, arrangements can be made/assets transferred.»
Hammond could not remain silent. «I submit—whoever you are—that we are the logical … executors.»
«The term ‘logic’ being interchangeable with ‘deserving.’ I will say this for your cause. God, Queen, and Empire have paid heavily in recent decades. Somewhat out of proportion to their relative sins, but that is not our concern, Commander. As I said, your instructions were clear at the outset: Get the Dunstone list at all costs. The cost is now clear. We will give you the list. You will get out of Jamaica. That is the price.»
Again, the silence; once more, the exchange of analyzing stares. A cloud passed over the Montego moon, causing a dark shadow to fall over the faces. Hammond spoke.
«How can we be sure of its authenticity?»
«Can you doubt us after the events of the day? Remember, it is in our mutual interest that Dunstone be eliminated.»
«What guarantees do you expect from us?»
Daniel laughed. A laugh formed in humor. «We do not need guarantees, Commander. We will know. Can you not understand that? Our island is not a continent; we know every liaison, conduit, and contact with whom you function.» The smile from the laugh formed in humor disappeared. «These operations will stop. Make whatever settlements you must, but then no more. Give—really give—Jamaica to its rightful owners. Struggles, chaos, and all.»
«And»—the Englishman spoke softly—«if these decisions are outside my control—»
«Make no mistake, Commander Hammond!» Daniel’s voice rose, cutting off the agent. «The executions that took place today began at noon London time. And each day, the chimes in Parliament’s clocktower ring out another noon. When you hear them, remember. What we were capable of today, we are capable of tomorrow. And we will add the truth of our motives. England will be a pariah in the community of nations. You cannot afford that.»
«Your threat is ludicrous!» countered Hammond, with equal fever. «As you said, this island is not a continent. We’d go in and destroy you.»
Daniel nodded and replied quietly. «Quite possible. And you should know that we are prepared for that eventuality. We have been for over two hundred years. Remarkable, isn’t it?… By all you believe holy, pay the price, Hammond; take the list and salvage what you can from Dunstone. You do deserve that. Not that you’ll salvage much; the vultures will fly in from their various geographies and dive for the carrion. We offer you time, perhaps only a few days. Make the best of it!»
A red light on the panel beneath the dashboard lit up, throwing a glow over the front seat. There were the sharp, staccato repeats of a high-pitched buzzer. The driver reached for the telephone and pulled it to his ear, held it there for several seconds, and then handed the instrument to Daniel.
The Minister of the Halidon listened. Alexander saw his face in the rearview mirror. Daniel could not conceal his alarm.
And then his anger.
«Do what you can but risk no lives. Our men are to pull out. No one is to leave the community. That is final. Irreversible!» He replaced the telephone in its upright recess firmly and turned his eyes on the Englishman as he spoke sarcastically. «British expertise, Commander. John Bull know-how. The West Indian specialists, M.I. Six, Caribbean, have just received their orders from Dunstone. They are to go into the Cock Pit and intercept the survey. They are to make sure it does not come out.»
«Oh, my God!» McAuliff pitched forward on the seat. «Can they reach them?»
«Ask the eminent authority,» said Daniel bitingly, his eyes wide on Hammond. «They are his men.»
The agent was rigid, as though he had stopped breathing. Yet it was obvious his mind was operating swiftly, silently. «They are in contact with the radio receivers … the signals transmitted from the campsite. The location can be pinpointed—»
«Within a thousand yards,» cut in Alexander, completing Hammond’s statement.
«Yes.»
«You’ve got to stop them!»
«I’m not sure there’s a way—»
«Find one. For Christ’s sake, Hammond, they’re going to be killed!» McAuliff grabbed Hammond by the lapels of his jacket, yanking him forward viciously. «You move, mister. Or I’ll kill you!»
«Take your hands—»
Before the agent could finish the obvious, Alexander whipped his right hand across Hammond’s face, breaking the skin on the Englishman’s lips. «There isn’t anything more, Commander! I want those guarantees! Now!»
The agent spoke through rivulets of blood. «I’ll do my best. All I’ve ever given you was … our best efforts.»
«You son of a bitch!» McAuliff brought his hand back once again. The driver and Daniel grabbed his arm.
«McAuliff! You’ll accomplish nothing!» roared the minister.
«You tell him to start accomplishing!» Then Alexander stopped and turned to Daniel, releasing the Englishman. «You’ve got people there.» And then McAuliff remembered the terrible words Daniel had spoken into the telephone: Risk no lives. Our men … pull back. No one is to leave the community. «You’ve got to get on that phone. Take back what you said. Protect them!»
The minister spoke quietly. «You must try to understand. There were traditions, revelations … a way of life extending over two hundred years. We cannot jeopardize these things.»
Alexander stared at the black man. «You’d watch them die? My God, you can’t!»